LOWERHOUSE cricket manager Stan Heaton says the club won't surrender their Lancashire League crown without a fight as they face off against leaders and title favourites Bacup tomorrow.
The reigning champions lie 12 points behind the Lanehead side in third but a win for Lowerhouse could blow the title race wide open going into Sunday's final round of fixtures.
Burnley, Nelson and Ramsbottom are also still in the hunt and Heaton is determined to set up an exciting climax to the season.
He said: "It's a must-win game for us and we probably go into the game with a slight psychological advantage, as we beat them quite convincingly earlier in the season.
"Obviously, we will be without Ryan Harris and we're in the process of sorting out a pro for Saturday, and I think the game will hinge on the professionals.
"If we can get Chris Cairns early and he's ineffective with the ball then hopefully we can record a win."
But whatever happens, Heaton said he was very proud of the team after a difficult season.
He added: " We lost Vishal Tripathi to Burnley and then injuries to Chris Benbow and Jonathan Finch saw them ruled out until the summer holidays. So to be in the top three going into the last weekend of the season really is a remarkable achievement."
Burnley skipper and pro Jon Harvey will have a keen interest in the events at Liverpool Road but says his side can't afford any slip-ups as they face Rawtenstall and Haslingden this weekend.
And they're hoping Lowerhouse can do them a favour by beating the leaders.
He said: "All we can do is control what we do. The title is in Bacup's hands but it will be interesting if Lowerhouse beat Bacup and we beat Rawtenstall.
"That will set up a tense finale on Sunday and that's what we want."
Harvey added that his team had bounced back well since their Worsley Cup final defeat last month but they didn't want to be this season's perennial runners up after also losing out in the final of the 20/20 competition to Rishton as well.
"The boys are really up for it. Losing the Worsley Cup final really hurt them and we don't want to come second in everything this season.
"We have to make sure we win both games to make sure we give ourselves the best possible chance of winning the league."
Burnley's chances could be boosted by the news that England fast bowler James Anderson could be allowed to bowl should he receive the necessary clearance.
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